When to Add Toppings to Pizza
Introduction
Who doesn’t love a good pizza? It’s the perfect food for any occasion, whether you’re having a family night in or a party with friends. But when it comes to adding toppings to your pizza, people often have different opinions. Some prefer to add them before baking, while others wait until after. So, what’s the right way to do it? In this blog post, we’ll explore the different ways of adding toppings to pizza and help you decide which method works best for you.
Table of Contents
- Why You Should Pre-Cook Your Pizza Toppings
- When Making Pizza What Goes On First? Get The Order Right
- How to Top a Pizza the Right Way
- How to Layer Pizza Toppings – The Right Order
- Why You Should Add Toppings To Frozen Pizza After It’s Done Cooking
- The Best Toppings To Pair With Pepperoni On Pizza
- 7 Easy Ways to Upgrade a Frozen Pizza
- 8 Summer Pizza Toppings to Add to Your Menu
When to Add Toppings to Pizza
First things first, let’s talk about the different ways of adding toppings to pizza. There are two main methods:
- Adding toppings before baking
- Adding toppings after baking
Both methods have their pros and cons, so it’s important to consider them before deciding which one to use.
Adding Toppings Before Baking
This is the traditional way of making pizza. You start with a pizza crust, add sauce, cheese, and your desired toppings, and then bake it in the oven. The advantage of this method is that the toppings get cooked along with the pizza, which means they get infused with the flavors of the sauce and cheese.
However, there are some downsides to this method. First, if you add too many toppings, the pizza may become soggy and the crust may not cook properly. Second, some toppings, like vegetables, may release water while cooking, which can make the pizza soggy. Finally, if you’re using delicate toppings like herbs or fresh mozzarella, they may burn in the oven.
Adding Toppings After Baking
This method is becoming increasingly popular, especially among pizza enthusiasts. With this method, you start with a plain pizza crust and bake it in the oven. Once it’s done, you add your desired toppings and then bake it again for a few minutes. The advantage of this method is that you have more control over the toppings, which means you can add as much or as little as you want. It also allows you to use delicate toppings that may burn in the oven.
The downside of this method is that the toppings may not be as infused with the flavors of the sauce and cheese as they would be if you added them before baking. Also, you have to be careful not to overload the pizza with toppings, as it may become too heavy and difficult to eat.
Why You Should Pre-Cook Your Pizza Toppings
If you’re adding toppings before baking, it’s a good idea to pre-cook them before adding them to the pizza. This is especially true for toppings that release water while cooking, like mushrooms or onions. By pre-cooking them, you can remove some of the moisture and prevent the pizza from becoming soggy. It also allows you to cook the toppings to your desired level of doneness.
However, there are some toppings that don’t need to be pre-cooked, like pepperoni or sausage. These toppings will cook perfectly in the oven along with the pizza.
When Making Pizza What Goes On First? Get The Order Right
If you’re adding toppings before baking, it’s important to get the order right. The general rule of thumb is to start with the sauce, then add the cheese, and finally add the toppings. This allows the cheese to melt and hold the toppings in place.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you’re using toppings that cook quickly, like spinach or arugula, you may want to add them after the cheese. This will prevent them from burning in the oven.
How to Top a Pizza the Right Way
If you’re adding toppings after baking, it’s important to do it the right way. Here are some tips:
- Start with a plain pizza crust. You can use store-bought or homemade.
- Add a thin layer of sauce. Use a ladle or a spoon to spread the sauce evenly.
- Add cheese. Use shredded cheese or sliced cheese.
- Add your desired toppings. Be creative! You can use anything from vegetables to meat to fruit.
- Bake the pizza for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted and the toppings are cooked.
How to Layer Pizza Toppings – The Right Order
If you’re adding toppings before baking, it’s important to layer them in the right order. Here’s the general rule of thumb:
- Start with a thin layer of sauce.
- Add cheese.
- Add toppings that cook quickly, like vegetables or herbs.
- Add toppings that take longer to cook, like meat or mushrooms.
- Add a final layer of cheese.
Why You Should Add Toppings To Frozen Pizza After It’s Done Cooking
If you’re short on time and using a frozen pizza, you may want to add toppings after it’s done cooking. This is because frozen pizzas are already pre-cooked, so adding toppings before baking may result in burnt or soggy toppings.
To add toppings to a frozen pizza, simply remove it from the oven once it’s done cooking, add your desired toppings, and then bake it again for a few minutes. This will ensure that your toppings are cooked to perfection.
The Best Toppings To Pair With Pepperoni On Pizza
Pepperoni is one of the most popular pizza toppings, but what toppings go well with it? Here are some ideas:
- Mushrooms
- Black olives
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Jalapenos
7 Easy Ways to Upgrade a Frozen Pizza
If you’re looking to upgrade your frozen pizza, here are some ideas:
- Add fresh herbs like basil or oregano
- Add sliced vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms
- Add cooked meat like sausage or bacon
- Add a fried egg on top
- Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes
- Add a handful of arugula or baby spinach after baking
8 Summer Pizza Toppings to Add to Your Menu
If you’re looking for some fresh and summery pizza toppings, here are some ideas:
- Grilled corn
- Cherry tomatoes
- Grilled zucchini
- Arugula
- Pesto
- Burrata cheese
- Barbecue chicken
- Grilled peaches
Conclusion
Adding toppings to pizza can be a fun and creative process, but it’s important to consider the different methods and techniques. Whether you’re adding toppings before or after baking, make sure to pre-cook your toppings if necessary, layer them in the right order, and don’t overload your pizza. And remember, the possibilities are endless when it comes to pizza toppings – so let your imagination run wild!